Lobularia plant named ‘Balbeezurp’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Lobularia  plant named ‘Balbeezurp’, characterized by its medium purple-colored flowers, dark green-colored foliage, moderately vigorous, mounded-spreading growth habit, is disclosed.

Latin name of genus and species of plant claimed: Lobularia maritima.

Variety denomination: ‘Balbeezurp’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Lobularia plant botanically known as Lobularia maritima and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Balbeezurp’.

The new cultivar originated in a controlled breeding program in Arroyo Grande, Calif. during January 2013. The objective of the breeding program was the development Lobularia cultivars that have a densely branched and moderately vigorous, mounded-spreading growth habit.

The new Lobularia cultivar is the result of cross-pollination. The female (seed) parent of the new cultivar is ‘Easter Bonnet Violet’, not patented, characterized by its dark purple-colored flowers, dark green-colored foliage, low growth vigor and mounded-spreading growth habit. The male (pollen) parent of the new cultivar is Lavender Stream ‘DLOBU22’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,141, characterized by its light purple-colored flowers, medium green-colored foliage, and moderately vigorous, semi-trailing, compact and dense habit. The new cultivar was discovered and selected as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the above stated cross-pollination during July 2013 in a controlled environment in Arroyo Grande, Calif.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal stem cuttings since July 2013 in Arroyo Grande, Calif. and West Chicago, Ill. has demonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics of the new cultivar have been repeatedly observed and can be used to distinguish ‘Balbeezurp’ as a new and distinct cultivar of Lobularia plant:

-   -   1. Medium purple-colored flowers;     -   2. Dark green-colored foliage;     -   3. Moderately vigorous, mounded-spreading growth habit.

Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the female parent primarily in having a lighter shade purple flower color, and a more vigorous growth habit. Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the male parent primarily in having a darker shade of purple flower color, and a darker shade of green foliage color.

Of the many commercially available Lobularia cultivars, the most similar in comparison to the new cultivar is Dark Knight ‘INLOBU1007’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,931. However, in comparison, plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of ‘INLOBU1007’ in at least the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new cultivar have lighter purple-colored         flowers than plants of ‘INLOBU1007’;     -   2. Plants of the new cultivar have less growth vigor than plants         of ‘INLOBU1007’; and     -   3. Plants of the new cultivar are shorter than plants of         ‘INLOBU1007’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, typical flower and foliage characteristics of the new cultivar. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed description, which accurately describes the colors of ‘Balbeezurp’. The plants were approximately 4 months old and grown in 4.5-inch pots for approximately 10 weeks in a greenhouse in West Chicago, Ill. Plants were given one pinch one week prior to transplant.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of the overall growth and flowering habit of ‘Balbeezurp’.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of the inflorescences of ‘Balbeezurp’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new cultivar has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in the environment, such as temperature, light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used. The color values were determined in March 2019 under natural light conditions in West Chicago, Ill.

The following descriptions and measurements describe approximately 4-month old plants produced from cuttings from stock plants and grown in a glass-covered greenhouse under conditions comparable to those used in commercial practice. The plants were grown in West Chicago, Ill. in 4.5-inch pots for approximately 10 weeks utilizing a soilless growth medium. Plants were given one pinch one week prior to transplant. Greenhouse temperatures were maintained at approximately 67° F. to 72° F. (19° C. to 22° C.) during the day and approximately 65° F. to 68° F. (18° C. to 20° C.) during the night. Supplemental lighting was used. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plants.

-   Botanical classification: Lobularia maritima ‘Balbeezurp’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—‘Easter Bonnet Violet’, not patented.         -   Male parent.—Lavender Stream ‘DLOBU22’, U.S. Plant Pat. No.             25,141. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type cutting.—Terminal stem.         -   Time to initiate roots.—Approximately 6 to 9 days.         -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—Approximately 21 to 28             days.         -   Root description.—Fine, fibrous.         -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching. -   Plant description:     -   -   Commercial crop time.—Approximately 4 to 5 weeks from a             rooted cutting to finish in a 10 cm pot.         -   Growth habit and general appearance.—Annual, moderately             vigorous, mounded-spreading.         -   Size.—Height from soil level to top of plant plane:             Approximately 10.0 cm. Width: Approximately 29.0 cm.         -   Branching habit.—Freely branching, pinching improves basal             branching. Quantity of main branches per plant:             Approximately 5.         -   Branch.—Shape: Rounded and slightly ribbed. Strength:             Strong, flexible. Length to base of inflorescence:             Approximately 8.5 cm. Diameter: Approximately 2.5 mm. Length             of central internode: Approximately 1.0 cm. Texture: Densely             pubescent with appressed hairs. Color of young stems: 144A.             Color of mature stems: 146C. -   Foliage description:     -   -   General description.—Quantity of leaves per main branch:             Approximately 14. Fragrance: None detected. Form: Simple.             Arrangement: Alternate.         -   Leaves.—Aspect: Petiole at acute angle to stem, tips             downward turning with age. Shape: Oblanceolate. Margin:             Entire. Apex: Acute. Base: Attenuate. Venation pattern:             Pinnate. Length of mature leaf: Approximately 3.0 cm. Width             of mature leaf: Approximately 6.0 mm. Texture of upper and             lower surfaces: Moderately pubescent with appressed hairs.             Color of upper surface of young and mature foliage: 137A             with midvein of 146C, other venation indistinguishable.             Color of lower surface of young and mature foliage: Closest             to 137B with midvein of 146C, other venation             indistinguishable.         -   Petiole.—Length: Approximately 7.0 mm. Width: Approximately             2.0 mm. Texture: Moderately pubescent with appressed hairs.             Color: 146C. -   Flowering description:     -   -   Flowering habit.—‘Balbeezurp’ is freely flowering under             outdoor growing conditions with substantially continuous             blooming throughout the spring.         -   Lastingness of individual flower on the plant.—Approximately             4 to 5 days. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   General description.—Type: Terminal corymb. Quantity per             plant: Approximately 50. Fragrance: Sweetly fragrant. Length             or height: Approximately 3.5 cm. Width: Approximately             2.5 cm. Quantity of fully open flowers per inflorescence:             Approximately 48.         -   Peduncle.—Strength: Strong, flexible. Length: Approximately             1.0 cm. Diameter: Approximately 2.0 mm. Texture: Glabrous.             Color: 146B. -   Flower description:     -   -   Type.—Small, cruciferous flowers, freely flowering, not             persistent.         -   Bud.—Rate of opening: Generally takes 2 to 3 days for bud to             progress from first color to fully open flower.         -   Bud just before opening.—Shape: Globose. Diameter:             Approximately 2.0 mm. Color: Sepals of 146B; petals of 86A.         -   Corolla.—Shape: Cruciform lobes with claws surrounded by             calyx. Aspect: Facing upward and outward. Width:             Approximately 6.0 cm. Depth: Approximately 2.0 mm.         -   Petals.—Quantity: 4. Shape: Ovate. Margin: Entire. Apex:             Obtuse. Base: Attenuate. Length of lobe: Approximately             3.0 cm. Width of lobe: Approximately 3.0 mm. Length of claw:             Approximately 1.0 mm. Width of claw: Less than 1.0 mm. Color             of upper surface of lobe when first and fully open: N87C             mottled with and margins of N87A. Color of lower surface of             lobe when first and fully open: N87A with streaks of N87C at             base. Color of upper and lower surfaces of claw: 146D tinted             with N87A.         -   Calyx.—Shape: Cupped. Diameter: Approximately 3.0 mm.         -   Sepals.—Quantity per flower: 4, distinct. Shape: Elliptic.             Margin: Entire. Apex: Acute. Base: Truncate. Length:             Approximately 2.0 mm. Width: Approximately 1.0 mm. Texture             of inner surface: Glabrous. Texture of outer surface:             Moderately pubescent with appressed hairs. Color of inner             and outer surfaces: Centers of 146B; margins of 86A.         -   Pedicel.—Strength: Strong, flexible. Aspect: Acute angle to             perpendicular to peduncle. Length: Approximately 9.0 mm.             Diameter: Less than 1.0 mm. Texture: Densely pubescent with             appressed hairs. Color: 146B.         -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Stamen quantity: 6 per             flower. Stamen length: Approximately 1.5 mm, 1 pair slightly             shorter and inserted lower. Filament color: 146D. Anther             shape: Bithecous, dorsifixed. Anther color: 16A. Pollen             amount: Abundant. Pollen color: 16B. Gynoecium: Pistil             quantity: 1 per flower, ovary superior. Pistil length:             Approximately 2.0 mm. Stigma shape: Capitate. Stigma color:             145D. Style color: N187A. Style length: Less than 1.0 mm.             Ovary length: Approximately 1.5 mm. Ovary texture:             Moderately pubescent with appressed hairs. Ovary color:             137B. -   Seed and fruit production: Neither seed nor fruit production has     been observed. -   Disease and pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests     common to Lobularia has not been observed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Lobularia plant named ‘Balbeezurp’, substantially as herein illustrated and described. 